The Great Bed of Ware is shown here in Hardwood (e.g Mahogany) and in medium brown finish.

More Carving Details and Parts: Click + to open

In Situ

This remarkable four poster bed showing by the quality of its carved figures, and carved bulbous legs and carved bed frame shows the skill and artistry of the guilds master wood carver.

No Mattress

Headboard Carving Details 1

Headboard Carving Details 2

Post Carving Details

Roof

Top Carvings

A Note on Four Poster Bed Sizes

We will make any four poster bed to any design or size specified by the client.

The Great Bed of Ware Four Poster Bed

Reference Number: E4P05

History and Detail

The most famous Four Poster Bed is the Great Bed of Ware, which can be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. This was probably made for Sir Henry Fanshaw of Ware Park in about 1611. But by 1612 it had been transferred to the White Hart Inn, Ware, Hertfordshire. It was moved from inn to inn in the town until 1669. when it was removed to Rye House, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. It is 10 feet 8 inches (3.25 metres) square and stands 8 feet 9 inches (2.67 metres) high, (the Guild craftsmen make your four poster bed to the size you specify) and, according to Sir Henry Chauncey's History of Hertford (1700), bedded six citizens and their wives from London Such a size was not unusual: the royal 4 poster beds of King Henry VII. King Henry VIII and King Edward VI was quoted as being II feet (3.35 metres) square when on display at Windsor in 1598.

As the bed is made to order, any of the dimensions can be changed to your own specifications. We also make this bed to fit a standard 5' (king size), 6' (superking size) mattress and other special mattress sizes including American and European sizes.

Height of Bed

You have three options when it comes to the height of the mattress.

You can place a Divan base and mattress straight inside the frame so that it sits on the floor.

We can provide you with slats (as an extra cost option of £50), which lay across the two bottom rails. You can then put a mattress straight on top of these.

You can have the slats as in option 2, but can put a Divan base and mattress on top of these to give a traditional height.